At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Reservations team and drive leisure sales to maximise hotel revenue.
- Company: Join a dynamic hotel brand with a focus on innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, free meals, health insurance, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with exciting career development prospects.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the hospitality industry while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in reservations and strong leadership skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Job Description
The Reservations & Leisure Sales Manager is responsible for leading the Reservations Department while driving leisure sales performance to maximise hotel revenue and profitability. Reporting to the Commercial Office Manager, the role oversees the day‑to‑day operation of the reservations function, ensuring all enquiries, bookings and group reservations are managed efficiently and in line with hotel and Accor brand standards. The role is accountable for developing leisure business across Group Leisure, Series and Wholesale segments, building strong client relationships, identifying new business opportunities and working closely with the Commercial, Revenue and Operations teams to deliver the hotel's commercial objectives. The Reservations & Leisure Sales Manager will lead, develop and motivate the reservations team, promoting a culture of commercial awareness, service excellence and continuous improvement while ensuring effective communication across all hotel departments.
Main Responsibilities
Commercial Overview
- Develop and implement the annual Leisure Sales Strategy alongside the Commercial Office Manager and Director of Sales & Marketing.
- Conduct regular Leisure Strategy Meetings reviewing production, market trends, opportunities and competitor activity.
- Drive Leisure revenue across FIT, Group Leisure, Series and Wholesale segments.
- Negotiate contracted rates, allocations and commercial agreements for leisure series and tour operators.
- Manage leisure account production, analysing performance and identifying opportunities for growth.
- Conduct regular materialisation meetings and calls with leisure partners to review contracted business versus actual production and implement recovery plans where required.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with tour operators, wholesalers, destination management companies (DMCs), coach operators and leisure travel agents.
- Carry out regular client visits, account reviews and hotel presentations to existing and prospective leisure clients.
- Participate in Leisure on Tour events, trade shows, networking functions, client entertainment and familiarisation trips to promote the hotel.
- Host site inspections and educational visits for leisure partners and key accounts.
- Develop new leisure business opportunities within domestic and international markets.
- Identify opportunities to convert Ad‑hoc leisure enquiries into long‑term contracted business.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity and demand patterns to support group pricing and commercial decisions.
- Work closely with Revenue Management to ensure leisure rates, allocations and availability are aligned with commercial strategy.
- Ensure leisure business contributes positively to overall hotel profitability.
- Proficient in creating slides to present upwards on key focus areas of department, wins/gains/losses and commercial reactive/proactive reservation focus, across multiple segmentation.
- Clear understanding of comprehensive current and future customer segmentation and base. Competency on how to negotiate/price/yield across the MICE/Group, Transient Negotiated, Corporate (Business Groups) & Transient Wholesale business mix.
- Understands the overall market, including competitors' strengths and weaknesses, economic trends, supply and demand etc. and knows how to sell/leverage/negotiate against them.
Team Management & Delegation
- Lead the daily operations of the Reservations Department, ensuring all enquiries are handled professionally and within agreed response times.
- Oversee all transient, corporate, leisure and group reservations.
- Ensure reservations are processed accurately using appropriate market codes, rate codes and profiles.
- Monitor reservations inboxes and workload distribution to maintain departmental service standards.
- Ensure daily operational checklists are completed, including arrivals, reservation audits, traces, TBRs, correspondence and reporting.
- Ensure prepaid reservations, guarantees, deposits and no‑show procedures are administered correctly.
- Monitor reservation accuracy within Opera and associated systems.
- Ensure guest profiles remain accurate and compliant with GDPR requirements.
- Maintain reservation procedures in accordance with hotel standards and Accor policies.
- Ensure commission processing and Fastcom administration are completed correctly.
- Recruit, coach, develop and retain a high‑performing Reservations team.
- Deliver structured training programmes covering:
- Leisure quotations
- FIT and Group pricing
- Series quotations
- Upselling techniques
- Commercial awareness
- Negotiation skills
- Customer service excellence
- Hotel systems
- Conduct regular one‑to‑one meetings and performance reviews.
- Ensure training plans remain current and measurable.
- Foster a commercial culture where every team member actively identifies revenue opportunities.
- Allow team to be cross‑trained to understand Sales, Events and Revenue functions.
- Set individual and departmental KPIs aligned with hotel commercial objectives.
- Encourage ownership, accountability and continuous improvement across the department.
Commercial Reporting
- Prepare weekly and monthly commercial reports highlighting:
- Leisure production
- Series performance
- Materialisation
- Conversion
- Market trends
- Revenue opportunities
- Lost business analysis
- Present commercial updates during revenue and commercial meetings.
- Maintain accurate forecasting of leisure business.
- Analyse account performance and recommend strategic actions.
- Ensure compliance with all company policies and Accor brand standards.
- Maintain accurate customer records and contractual documentation.
- Manage departmental payroll, holidays, sickness and scheduling.
- Support departmental budgeting and cost control.
- Approve invoices and departmental expenditure where applicable.
- Complete Duty Manager shifts as required.
- Maintain Health & Safety compliance within the department.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties required by the Commercial Office Manager or Director of Sales & Marketing.
Key Performance Indicators
- Leisure revenue growth
- Group Leisure & Series production
- Materialisation performance
- Leisure account retention and acquisition
- Conversion ratio
- Average Daily Rate (ADR) in the Tour Segment
- Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) contribution
- Group dinner and ancillary revenue
- Reservation response times
- Team engagement and development
- Commercial reporting accuracy
- Departmental quality scores
Additional Information
Perks for You
- Employee benefit card offering discounted rates at Accor worldwide
- Free and delicious meal breaks on duty
- Complimentary stays in UK and North Ireland
- Friends & Family discounts
- 50% food discounts in our restaurants
- Pension Scheme
- Health Insurance
- Eye Test Vouchers
- Staff Uniforms Provided
- Learning programs through our Academies
- Opportunity to develop your talent and grow within your property and across the world!
- Ability to make a difference through our Corporate Social Responsibility activities, like Planet 2
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.
Note: The Company reserves the right to amend this job description from time to time to reflect the evolving needs of the business.
Reservations and Leisure Sales Manager employer: Accor Hotels
Accor Hotels is an exceptional employer that values its team members and fosters a vibrant work culture in the heart of London. With competitive pay and opportunities for personal and professional growth, employees are encouraged to thrive in a supportive environment that prioritises guest satisfaction and teamwork. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your contributions directly enhance the hospitality experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Reservations and Leisure Sales Manager
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Accor Hotels. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Accor Hotels
Don't be shy about reaching out to Accor Hotels directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Reservations and Leisure Sales Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Accor Hotels and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Accor Hotels
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
